Bellingham: Legacy of secret soldier remembered

Friday

May 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Matt TotaDaily News Staff

BELLINGHAM — Gov. Deval Patrick last year declared May 23 "Deborah Sampson Day" in honor of the woman who wanted so badly to join America’s battle for independence that she posed as a man.Wait, what?Aside from history buffs and the gubernatorial aide who typed up the proclamation, most state residents have never heard of Sampson, also spelled Samson, let alone the deeds that led Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1983 to name her the "Official Heroine of the Commonwealth."In fact, Sampson was one of a handful of women to fight in the Revolutionary War, traveling to Bellingham to enlist in the Continental Army.The town’s historical commission regards her as a local hero, though she was born in Plympton, a tiny town in Plymouth County, more than two centuries ago. It has a trove of documents about Sampson, including a portrait of her in full regalia.Historical Commission Chairwoman Marcia Crooks today will tell Sampson’s story from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the museum, located at 10 Mechanic St., in front of the municipal center and behind the police station.And what a story it is.Under the disguise of a Mr. Robert Shurtliff, Sampson enlisted with help from a cousin, Noah Alden, who was the second pastor at the town’s First Baptist Church."She went to several towns dressed as man," Crooks noted. "She tried to enlist in Middleborough, but someone recognized her. And she went as far as New Bedford."As a soldier with the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, Sampson fought in several small battles in upstate New York, according to Crooks."Deborah … was wounded by a saber slash to the head," Crooks said. "She later took two musket balls to the hip. She removed one herself, keeping her gender hidden; the other one stayed in her hip until she died."She was honorably discharged in 1783 after officers uncovered her true identity and would earn a $4 pension only after the likes of Paul Revere and then-Massachusetts Gov. John Hancock lobbied on her behalf."Her gender was not found out until she contracted typhoid fever," Crooks said.Crooks said Bellingham historians have studied Sampson for a long time.Sharon, where Sampson lived after the war with her husband, Benjamin Gannett, also celebrates her memory. A statue of the secret soldier sits in front of the town’s library.Crooks acknowledged that Sampson’s history isn’t widely known — she’s not sure why — but said it surprises her when people do recognize the name and the intrigue behind it."There was a young boy in the museum with his folks once, and I showed him her picture and asked him if he knew who it was," she said. "He said, ‘Deborah Sampson. I read a book on her.’ And that made me very happy."Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.